Active Speaker Choice

Thank you for the offer but l think this is getting too complicated for me. I have no idea what I would want.

Try listen to Barefoot Sound Micromain 27 to.

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At his time, I have decides against pursuing active speakers. Thanks to all who contributed to my post.

I think you're on the right track with actives, you just have to go out and listen to a few to decide what you like.

steve59 - Thanks. I did listen to some Genelec 8351's that sounded pretty good, especially for the price, but decided to pass. The ATC SCM 40A's sounded good (probably for a bigger room than I have) but I missed the demos that were on sale, so at over $14K and still needing a pre-amp, it puts them out of my range.
Actives are hard to find at dealers. I'm sure they don't want to sell them as they can't sell you all the accessories that go along with passives such as amplification, cables, etc.   

Maybe you're right about accessories, but think most buyers simply don't know about active speaker benefits. Actives are the best in my opinion too. Most speakers with passive crossovers don't sound very good, I bypassed mine 40 years ago! $14k for speakers is a lot of $$, you can do better used. I don't think I have more than $20k in my entire system which has so much more versatility than simple active speakers. Good luck!

Thank you fiesta75, the search continues either way.

Someone mentioned these earlier in this thread, does anyone have any experience with them?

Bamberg Series 3 TMW Active Loudspeaker Review - HomeTheaterHifi.com

I was the one that mentioned them. I actually bought the pair that is shown in this review and picked them up from the reviewer's home. How Carlo describes them is pretty much spot on. I took it a step farther and bought the Mini DSP Studio as well. The parametric eq can be done through the Studio vice in the amp. Any of the eq I used is done after Dirac. They are well built, look good, and sound great. Phillip is making a newer version of this now called the 3.2 http://www.bambergaudio.com/products/series3/3pt2.php . If I remember correctly, they will be a single cabinet version and use the newer Hypex Fusion amp (FA 123) in them. With the mini DSP included, you can be all in for about 7k and need to supply a source or two. 

I have the Genelec 8351b and I'm the first to admit they aren't for everyone. They are about the most revealing speaker out there without any forgiveness of bad recording. I do use DSP EQ and a roll off of .5db per 1000 hz from 1000hz to 20Khz so it's down 10db which makes them a little softer.  I also use 2 subwoofers, if I could afford it I would get 2 W371a's  to go with them but they're $19K. I would never recommend anyone buy them without getting the GLM system for calibration. 

csmgolf - djones51, thanks very much.

I have since picked up an integrated amplifier, so the search for active speakers has come to an end. Thanks again to all that contributed to this thread, I have learned a lot!

There’s some passive speakers that sound fast and powerful with exciting dynamics JBL, klipsch, any passive speakers that are +90 dB eff should do, now you just need to find the pair that work for you. 

steve59 - thanks, looking at KEF R11s and Martin Logan 60 xtis presently